A Wishaw-based mental health charity has benefited from a mammoth hillwalking challenge.
A 12-strong team from Keyline Civils Merchants based in Glasgow took part in the incredible challenge for Chris’s House which offers a safe environment where people in, or approaching, suicidal crisis can have a safe place to go and get professional support.
The Keyline team were aiming to climb Ben Lomond three times in just 10 hours.
Kai Bannatyne, from Jerviston in Motherwell, was one of only three people who managed to complete the challenge alongside event organiser Danny Southern and Chris Thomson.
He said: “My legs were in agony after the end of it.
“I do a lot of walking and climbing Munros so I thought I would be able to get through it.
“But mentally and physically it was absolutely draining because it was such a long day.
“We started at 7am and were at the top of the first climb at 8.30am.
“When we were coming back down the second climb I slipped and fell. I smashed my watch and had a few bumps and bruises.
“I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do the third climb but it was a great feeling to get down.”
Kai, Danny, Chris and the team have raised over £3,000 for Chris’s House which aims to help all individuals to begin to recover from their current mental ill health.
The Wishaw-based initiative is the first 24/7 mental health charity in Scotland.
Kai added: “The company itself has done a lot for national charities over the years but we were looking to do something for a charity at a local level and Chris’s House certainly fell into that category.
“Personally I have had some family members who have struggled with their mental health so it’s important we do as much as we can to support charities like Chris’s House.
“If we can put in the effort and push ourselves through the pain barrier for nine or 10 hours to support the volunteers there then we were more than happy to do that.”
To donate to the team’s campaign visit their JustGiving page.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
